Defensively, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed a drastic amount of improvement under defensive coordinator Mike Smith this season. During the second half of the Bucs’ 2016 campaign the defense shined, snatching pick after pick and suffocating opposing quarterbacks which all played a tremendous role in their five-game winning streak and back-to-back upset victories. But, if the Buccaneers want to make it to the playoffs in 2017, then they’ll have to address some missing pieces on defense first and foremost.

No. 2 Malik Hooker, S

One position the Bucs will certainly need to address is safety. Bradley McDougald has been inconsistent throughout the entire season and Chris Conte has shown signs of improvement but still needs to work on coverage. Both players got burned several times on crucial plays this season, allowing opposing offenses to find the end zone drive after drive.

Last year, the Bucs spent a fourth-rounder on Ryan Smith, but the position is still in need of a difference maker. If Keith Tandy gets the start in place of Conte, then the Bucs will need to find another starter. According to Jeremiah, Hooker’s athleticism and versatility would give the Bucs the talented playmaker they’ve been longing for.

“Hooker is a tall, rangy safety prospect with incredible instincts,” Jeremiah said. “He usually lines up as the high safety and he has an uncanny ability to anticipate throws, drive on the ball, and finish. He is ultra-fluid in his change of direction and has the ability to match up with tight ends in man coverage. He has the best ball skills of any safety I’ve ever evaluated in college. He is also a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Against the run, he is quick to key, read and fill the alley. He does have some fly-by missed tackles, but overall he’s reliable in this area. Hooker has the potential to be one of the league’s best safeties very early in his NFL career.”

No. 23 Taco Charlton, DE

Another area the Bucs need to address is finding a solid pass rusher. The team put great effort into addressing the lack of pass-rush last year, landing Robert Ayers in free agency and drafting Noah Spence. However, the Bucs still need to improve at stopping the run and consistently creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Fortunately, Charlton seems to fit that bill according to Jeremiah’s latest scouting report.

“Charlton has a tall, athletic build with excellent length,” Jeremiah said. “As a pass rusher, he can win with quickness or power. He can dip and rip or employ a pure bull rush. He doesn’t have an elite get-off but he has a great feel for how he’s being blocked, effectively countering to get to the passer. Against the run, he’s inconsistent. He flashes the ability to shoot his hands and keep defenders off his chest but he also gets cut a bunch. That’s correctable. Overall, Charlton has the size, athletic ability and savvy to be a solid three-down defender very early in his NFL career.”

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No. 24 Budda Baker, Washington, S

What stands out the most about Baker is his excellent coverage skills, especially when he lines up in the slot and mirrors receivers. Overall, he’s fast, aggressive, physical and is known for wrapping up consistently. He has been a three-year starter since arriving as the top-ranked prospect in Washington and finished the 2016 season with 70 tackles and two interceptions. According to Jeremiah, he excels at man to man coverage and is known for making big plays.

“Baker is an undersized player with outstanding speed and instincts,” Jeremiah said. “Usually lining up over the slot, he is an excellent underneath defender. He has the speed and agility to cover man to man, and his instincts put him in positon to make a lot of plays on the ball in zone coverage. He is always around the ball but he doesn’t have reliable hands. He is a missile against the run, quickly reading and attacking the line of scrimmage. He is an outstanding blitzer. He doesn’t play to his size. He’s very physical and a dependable tackler in space. He is outstanding covering kicks on special teams. Overall, Baker is very similar to Tyrann Mathieu but he doesn’t possess the same elite ball skills.”